Building Collaborative Partnerships between Behavior Analysts and Families

Abstract

Collaboration practices have been utilized within applied behavior analysis (ABA) to build relationships among relevant stakeholders. A recent focus within the field of ABA highlights collaborative practices for behavior analysts to utilize in service delivery positions. However, myriad barriers, such as sources of funding and competing stakeholder interests, inhibit behavior analysts' ability to build collaborative partnerships with families. We describe the barriers behavior analysts face at the systemic, implementation, and training levels of service delivery and their potential impact on behavior analysts and the families with whom they work. We then highlight four fundamental tenets of building a collaborative partnership between behavior analysts and families, which incorporate collaborative strategies utilized in positive behavior support (PBS), family-centered practice (FCP), and ABA. We then offer practical recommendations to be used within the context of the current barriers that behavior analysts and families experience. These recommendations are precisely indicated to establish practices providing technically sound ABA services while continuing to deepen collaborative partnerships with families.

Keywords: Collaboration; Contextual practice; Families; Partnerships.